Farming '89, 1989-03-22, Page 2A2. FARMING ‘89, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1989.
Now's the time to fine tune soybean production
BY HENRY 0LECH0WSK1
SOILS & CROPS SPECIALIST
OMAF, RIDGETOWN
Winter is an ideal time to review
your soybean production system.
Consider “fine tuning” for the
upcoming spring. During this time
of year you can ask questions of
extension staff, agronomists, deal
ers and neighbours in a more
relaxed atmosphere than during
the rush of late spring.
There is still plenty of time to
make any necessary changes. Four
areas of soybean production that
are easily fine tuned are tillage,
fertility, variety selection and weed
control programs.
An often-asked question is:
“How much secondary tillage do 1
really need?”
The amount of tillage needed will
vary with the soil type, previous
crop, planting equipment and your
experience. In most costs, the
minimum amount of tillage is
needed to ensure good seed-to-soil
contact for quick germination.
If a pre-plant incorporated herbi
cide or broadcasting fertilizer or
lime is used, an extra tillage pass
may be required to ensure thor
ough, uniform incorporation.
Soybeans need a high level of
fertility to produce top yields. It is a
common misconception that soy
beans respond only to residual
fertilizer from a previous crop.
Research has shown soybeans re
spond not only to residual fertilizer,
as all crops do, but to applied
fertilizer as well.
Soils vary in their ability to
supply nutrients. A soil test is the
best way to determine your fertili
zer and lime requirements. There
will still be enough time to take a
soil sample after the spring thaw
and get the results back before
planting.
One of the most important
decisions in growing a top-yielding
soybean crop is variety selection.
Yield increases from new varieties
average about one per cent per
year. If an older variety is grown,
the performance of several units of
some newer varieties may be
compared in a production system.
If soybeans are grown on clay
soils or there is a history of
phytophthora root rot, it would be
wise to select a variety with
tolerance or resistance to this
disease.
A complete listing of varieties,
comparative yields and disease
ratings can be found in the Ontario
Soybean Variety Trials Report
which is available from the local
agricultural office.
As soybean planting begins ear
lier and earlier in May, it is
essential to use the highest quality,
certified seed available. A seed
treatment should be used to reduce
the damage from seedling diseas
es, especially during cool, wet
springs.
With last year’s harvest still
fresh in mind, it is a good time to
decide whether or not changes are
needed in a weed control program.
In the case of weed escapes, was
it because of poor herbicide activity
in the dry weather? Or, are these
“new” weeds on the farm not
effectively controlled by any herbi
cide program? Consider rotary
hoeing to help activate the herbi
cide and knock out any early
emerged weed seedlings in dry
weather.
New weeds can be identified and
checked in Publication 75, Guide to
Weed Control, for a herbicide
program that will give satisfactory
control.
In April, plan to calibrate the
sprayer. This short job can prevent
problems later on with over or
under herbicide application which
can cause crop damage or result in
weed escapes.
Soybean production systems are
constantly changing and improv
ing. When provinces are prepared
to ask plenty of questions and make
the necessary improvements in
their production systems, they will
maintain top yields.
Protect yourself
from farm
chemicals
Protective clothing such as a long
sleeved shirt, pants or coveralls,
chemical resistent (rubber) gloves,
and rubber boots should always be
worn when handling farm chemi
cals. ‘Farm Chemical Safety Is In
Your Hands’.
Talk to our
Managers
SHARRON MOTYCKA,
Bly th Branch
BLAIR DICKSON,
Brussels Branch
Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce (CIBC) recognizes
how important careful financial
planning and credit manage
ment is to successful farming.
CIBC’s experienced branch
managers can assist you in
determining all your financial
needs. We know what makes
your business different. That’s
what makes us different. Give
us a call, we can help you with
the business of farming.
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